MRT woes aside, PNoy claims gains in PHL transport sector

The never-ending woes of the Metro Rail Transit aside, President Benigno Aquino III in his last State of the Nation Address cited his administration's gains in the transportation sector, asking the widely-criticized Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya not to lose heart.

Aquino said the Philippines managed to regain the Category One rating from the United States Federal Aviation Agency (USFAA) under his watch, paving the way for local carriers to launch flights to the US.

Earlier this year, the European Union also lifted the air ban on all Philippine carriers, allowing local airlines to travel directly to European countries.

In the maritime sector, Aquino noted how the EU has recognized the improvement in the maritime education of Filipino seafarers, which it previously criticized.

The President said he has been assured by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) that the Philippines will pass the audit to be conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) later this year.

With the positive developments that occurred in the air and transportation sectors, Aquino said there is no reason for Abaya to “lose heart.”

“Kay Sec. Jun Abaya, huwag ka sanang panghinaan ng loob,” Aquino said.

Abaya has drawn flak in the past year for the decrepit conditions of the Light Rail Transit, Metro Rail Transit and Philippine National Railways, which serve commuters in Metro Manila.

Aquino, however, said the government is already working on improving the MRT-3, with new train coaches, rails and signaling systems for the trains set to arrive in the coming months. -NB, GMA News